Metro, I-66 Lane Closures This Weekend Around Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The new coronavirus crisis hasn't stopped transportation projects affecting the Interstate 66 corridor around Falls Church. This weekend, the I-66 Inside the Beltway widening project will result in eastbound lane closures, while preparations for Metro's summer shutdown will impact service.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, extended lane closures will happen on I-66 between Dulles Connector Road and Sycamore Street. One eastbound lane will be closed between the Dulles Connector Road and Sycamore Street from 10 a.m. Friday, April 17 to 4 a.m. Monday, April 20. An additional eastbound lane will be closed from exit 69 (Washington Boulevard and Lee Highway) to Dulles Connector Road from 8 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Monday. Between this time, one eastbound lane will remain open.

The lane closures will allow bridge work and construction for the eastbound widening project and minimize the number of overnight closures required. Tolls continue to be charged during rush hours on I-66 inside the Beltway. WTOP reported that toll prices significantly decreased due to less drivers.

VDOT anticipates the additional eastbound travel lane will open in fall 2020. The project also includes adding 12,000 linear feet of new and replacement noise barriers, building a new bridge over Lee Highway for the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, and constructing a new direct access ramp from eastbound I-66 to the West Falls Church Metro Station at the Route 7 Interchange.

Metro riders will also see disruptions due to preparations for the summer platform rehabilitation project. The West Falls Church station will be closed on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 as workers install shoring under the station's platforms. Orange Line trains will single track between West Falls Church and Vienna every 36 minutes. A free shuttle bus will run between West Falls Church and Dunn Loring stations for essential trips.

East Falls Church station is already closed as part of Metro's coronavirus-related service changes. Riders are urged to only take essential trips and wear cloth face coverings on Metro. The adjusted weekend hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The summer platform project remains scheduled from May 23 to Sept. 7. The East Falls Church, Dunn Loring and Vienna stations will be closed, while the West Falls Church station remains open.